Faster-Moving Hawaii Lava Gushes Into Sea, Spews New Danger

Residents on the Big Island face several threats Monday from Kilauea: In addition to the possibility of more eruptions, lava is oozing into the ocean, sending hydrochloric acid and volcanic glass particles into the air.

The U.S. Geological Survey has released more video of the Kilauea eruptions, this time showing fountains of lava at Fissure 20.

Main roads have been shut down in some spots, and residents in the area have been evacuated. (His was the first reported injury from this month's eruptions.) Now, as lava pours into the ocean, officials have begun issuing warnings about the resulting "laze", risky plumes of hydrochloric acid, steam, and glass particles.

Kilauea volcano began spewing lava into the air in a residential neighborhood about two weeks ago.

Two thousand people have been ordered from their homes due to lava flows and toxic sulfur dioxide gas, levels of which have tripled in the last two days, according to civil defense officials.

Officials are warning people to stay away from areas where lava meets the ocean, as laze can cause lung, eye and skin irritation. The lava is moving inconsistently and with a frequently shifting rate of flow, according to the agency.

Since Kilauea began erupting on 3 May, around 40 structures - including two dozen homes - have been burned to the ground.

"If you get enough lava coming in, it'll start growing itself laterally to form a much more solid and coherent set of lava flow benches [or landforms]", said Bergantz. However, they stress that most of the Big Island and the rest of the state remains largely unaffected by the latest events.